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Larimer County inmates found sharpening shanks

FORT COLLINS, Colo. (AP) - Authorities say five Larimer County inmates could face sanctions or criminal charges after surveillance video showed them sharpening pieces of metal from a gymnasium clock into shanks or acting as lookouts for those who did.

Sheriff's officials said Wednesday all five are now in a higher-security area.

During a routine check Tuesday, a jail corporal heard the sound of scraping metal coming from a recreation area. Deputies say they then found inmates sharpening metal pieces about five or six inches long a quarter-inch in diameter.

A search turned up no other contraband.

Surveillance video showed five inmates sharpening metal and acting as lookouts. Sheriff's spokesman John Schulz tells The Denver Post the inmates had been in the gym for an extended period because of construction on the facility.